Jamaican juniors compete at 2018 World Cadets Chess Championship

THREE junior chess players from Jamaica are currently competing at the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

The event started on November 3 and ends on the 16.

Bouyed by their recent performances at the Junior Pan American Chess Championships in Santiago, Chile, where they faced the best junior chess players from the Americas, Campion College students Darren Mckennis and Arielle Mckoy, along with Harrison Prep student Aaron Mckoy are now facing the best juniors from all over the world.

Darren Mckennis is the reigning Under-12 National and Carifta Absolute champion and is competing in the Under-12 Open section, while Arielle Mckoy will compete in the Under-12 Female section. Aaron Mckoy, who is the 2017 Under-8 Carifta Chess champion, will compete in the Under-8 Open section.

When asked how it feels to play against the best in the world, Mckennis was resolute in his response. “With the exposure to different playing styles, strengths, cultures, there is no better way to develop. My hope is to become one of, if not the youngest Jamaican national champion, and along the way earn many international chess titles.”

This is Mckennis’ fifth international tournament for the year and will surely be one of his biggest tests.

The FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships is the most prestigious tournament for juniors on the global chess calendar, and includes participants under 12 years of age from over 180 countries.

Under-12 Female player Arielle Mckoy ready to face her next opponent in the gruelling 11-round battle.

Under-12 Open player Darren Mckennis drew his first round against an opponent rated some 400 FIDE points higher.

Under-8 Open player Aaron Mckoy (right) faces Spaniard Lois Quintos Otero, whom he went on to beat in the third round.